Car coupler



F. H. KAYLER Feb. 3, 1942.

CAR COUPLER Filed Nov. 1, 1940 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Fafmfllyer,

Feb. 3, 1942. F. H. KAYLl-:R 2,27L339 CAR cUPLER w Filed Nov. 1, 1940 5 shee'zs-sheet 2 Feb. 3, 14942. F. H. KAYLl-:R 2,271,839

CAR coUPLER Filed Nov. 1, 1940 5 sneets-sheet s INVENTOR.

F. H. KAYLER Feb. 3, 1942.

CAR COUPLER Filed Nov. 1, 1940 s-she'zs-sneet 4 F. H. KAYLER Feb. 3, 1942.

cAR'coUPLER Filed Nov. 1, 1940 5 sheet's-sheet 5 Patentecl Feb. 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CAR COUPLER Frank H. Kayler, Alliance, Ohio, assignor to American Steel Foundries, Chicago, ]]l.,a corporation of New Jersey Application November 1, 1940, Serial No. 363,823 28 claims. (o1.218 104) My invention relates to car couplers, and more particularly to an automatic tight lock car coupler especially suitable for use on mine or industrial cars.

My invention comprehends an improvem'ent of a car coupler which is described in a co-pending application, Serial No. 300,307, filed in vthe name of Edmund P. Kinne, and is generally similar to it in form. In the latter coupler anticreep means and a lock set are afforded for the lock operative in said coupler. In my linvention the lock in one coupler is aiforded a lock set and a lock to the lock operative by engagement of the Operating arm with the mating coupler.

A general object of my invention is to devise a tight lock nonarticulating coupler wherein slack is reduced to a minimum and wherein the Operating parts are 'afforded protection from dirt and other extrane'ous matter.

An object of my invention is to devise a tight lock coupler wherein an automatic lock to the lock or anti-creep means for the lock on one coupler is afforded on the mating coupler.

My invention comprehends a car coupler having anti-creep means which becomes operative automatically upon coupling with a mating coupler and is automatically releasable upon separation of mating couplers.

Another object of my invention is to devise a tight lock car coupler Wherein a lockset for the lock therein is afforded on the mating coupler and wherein said lockset is automatically releasable upon separation of mating couplers.

A specific object of my invention is to devise a tight lock car coupler having a lock pivoted in a tapered nose and an Operating arm connected to said lock and extending through a wall of said coupler for engagement with cam means on one side of a mating coupler, said cam means being operative to lift the Operating arm to a position where it will cooperate With the mating coupler to afford a lock to the lock.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a coupler embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the coupler head shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the coupler head shown in Figure 1, the view being taken from the left thereof.

Figure 4 is a side View of the coupler shown in Figure 1, the View being taken from the right thereof.

Figure 5 is a sectional View taken through the coupler shown in Figure 1, the section being taken substantially in the verticalplane indicated by the line 5-5 of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is a plan view of -a lock used in the coupler head shown in Figure 1. Figure 6A is a side elevation of said lock, and Figure 6B is an end view thereof.

Figure 7 is a side'view of an Operating arm used in the coupler structure shown in Figure 1, I

and Figure 7A is a top view of said arm.

Figure 8 is a front view of a spring socket used in my novel coupler. Figure 8A is a top view thereof, and Figure 8B is a side View thereof.

Figure 9 is a top plan view of mating coupler heads embodying lmy novel invention in normal coupled position, a'fragment of the top walls of said couplers being broken away to show more clearly the looking arrangement of said couplers.

Figure' 10 is a side elevation of the mating couplers shown inFig-ure 9.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view showing the position of an Operating arm when mating couplers are ininormal coupled position, the section being taken substantially in the vertical transverse plane indicated by the line I l-l I of Figure 9.

Figure 12 is a top plan View 'of mating couplers embodying my invention showing their relative positions at the beginning of the uncoupling operation from lockset position.

Figure 13 is a side view of the couplers shown in Figure 12. i

Figure 14 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an Operating arm in lockset position, the section being taken substantially in the Vertical generally transverse planes indicated by the lines |4-l4 of Figure 12. p

Figure 15 is a top plan vi'ew'of mating coupler heads embodying my invention showing the position of the locks when passing each other during a coupling or uncoupling operation.

` Figure 16 is a side view of the mating coupler heads shown in Figure 15.

Figure 17 is a fragmentary sectional view of mating couplers, the section being taken substantially in the Vertical plane indicated by the line |'|'--|'l of Figure 10. V

Figure 18 is a fragmentary side elevation of mating coupler heads showing the relative positions of the couplers and an Operating arm during the coupling operation.

In detail, thecoupler head generally indicated at 2 comprises a fragmentarily shown shank 4 of any suitable structure, and a hollow' funnelshaped housing 6 having a generally rectangular box-like form as viewed from Figure 2. Around the forward extremity of said housing may be formed a generally Vertical flange B interrupted at opposite sides of said housing as hereinafter more fully described.

The front faces Ill, li) on said peripheral fiange 8 afford abutment for complementary faces on a peripheral fiange of a mating coupler for taking bufi'ing forces during operation. Projecting outwardly from approximately one-halfof the forward extremity of said housing may be a tapered or pyramidal nose l2 having its base integrally formed with said housing adjacent to fiange 8. The nose 2 is generally hollow and includes flat tapered top and bottom walls l4 and |6, a flat tapered side Wall 18 and a tapered side wall 20 having a generally arcuate form as indicted at 22, all of said walls converging to a common point 24. At the other half of the front of said housing and adjacent to said nose may be a rectangular opening 26 accommodating a nose On a mating coupler and said opening 26 maybe afforded beveled or inclinedsurfaces 28,28 .around its marginal edges for Cooperation with the tapered nose of the mating coupler. Adjacen't the Vertical longitudinal centerline of said housing and on the top and bottom walls thereof may be formed tapered grooves 29, 29 for engagement with complementary tapered lugs 3|, 3| on top and bottom walls I 4 and |6 of the nose 'on a :mating coupler.

Adjacent to the base of the nose l'may be an opening 39 in the wall 29 through which may project a portion of a lock 32 which is housed Within said nose and which is afforded a pivotal connection 34 adjacent to its forward end. The lock 32 'is shown in detail in Figures 6; 6A, and 6B and comprises a solid block of metal having at one end a pin hole 36 through which a pivot pin 38 may extend `to afford the pivotal connection 34. The head of pin 39 may .be recessed as at 40 in the top wall I 4 of said nose and said pin may be securely retained at its opposite end by lthe cotter pin 42 seated in the bottom wall |6 of said nose. A locking face 44 of generally ogee configuration may be afforded at the -end'of said lock opposite the pivot pin hole 36. Adjacent to said looking face may be connected as at 45 an Operating arm 46'having a compression spring '48 sleeved over said arm and aiforded a seat on a spring socket 50 associated with said lock. The lock 32 may be afforded vertically spaced recesses 52, 52 for reception of spaced lugs 54, 54 formed on one side of the spring socket 59. Intermediate the spaced recesses 52, 52 a bridge 56 defines an eye 58, and inwardly of said veye may be i formed a recess Or notoh 59. The bridge 56 is accommodated in a transverse 'groove 69 on the spring socket intermediate the lugs` 54, 54 for Vpreventing Vertical displacement of :said socket.

The hook-like end 62 of the Operating arm 46 i may be inserted through the Vertical slot 64 in the spring socket 50 and the eye 58'On the lock 32 for connecting the Operating arm Vand the socket 59 to the lock 32. It may be noted that the notch 59 has its deepest portion offset upwardly from the bridge 56. The hook-like 1end'SZ of the Operating arm may be generally complementary in form to the notch 59, said end 62 being aiforded excess metal at its 'extremity as fat 69 to permit its insertion through said eye '58 in Only one position so that correct a'ssemblage of the lock and Operating arm is assured. At Opposite sides of slot 64 on the spring socket, spaced bosses 68, 68 aiford positioning means for the spring 48 seated thereon. The opposite end of the spring 43 may be afforded a seat as at 10 against the inner surface of the wall l8 on the nose |2. i

The Operating arm 46 (Figures 7 and 7A) may be slightly laterally bent as at 12 and is afforded, in addition to the hook-like end 62, a shoulder 14 on its upper edge and a shoulder 16 on its lower edge spaced from the shoulder 14. The top .and bottom edges of said arm may be slightly inclined as at 18 and 86 respectively for facilitating cooperation with means on a mating coupler head as hereinafter described. The Operating arm 46 extends outwardly through a Vertical opening 82 in side wall |8 of the nose !2 and is afforded at its outer .end a hole `84 for engagement with any convenient coupler Operating means. At the side of the housing adjacent to the Operating arm 46, the peripheral flange 8 may be offset as at 86, 85 to form spaced recesses 88, 86 with a lug 99 therebetween afforded abutment as at 92 With a side of the Operating arm 46. At the opposite side of said housing the peripheral fiange 8 is afforded vertically spaced outwardly projecting members 94 and 96 for reception within the spaced recesses 8B, 83 on a mating coupler, and said members 94 and 96 define therebetween a recess 98 accommodating the Operating arm 46 and the lug 99 On a mating coupler. The projection 94 has a cam or sloping surface which may pass underneath the Operating arm 46 on a mating coupler for engagement with the inclined surface 89 on the lower edge of the Operating arm. The projection 96 has an inclined shallow groove |92 cooperating with the Operating arm 46 of a mating coupler to afford a lockset. The purpose and function of the outwardly projecting members 94 and 96 may be best understood from a consideration of mating coupler heads in coupled position and during their ooupling and uncoupling.

In coupling, mating coupler heads are guided into alignment by the tapered noses and the beveled edges around the openings 26, 26 which afford a maximum Vertical and lateral coupling gathering range as fully described and illustrated in said co-pendin-g application. As each nose |2 moves into the accommodating opening 26 on the mating coupler, each lock 32, which normally projects outward from said nose slightly beyond the center line of the coupler, slidingly engages the lock on the mating coupler as may be best seen at N14 in Figure 15. Figures 15, 16 and 18 show mating coupler heads in positions just before the completion of the coupling operation and it may be noted from a consideration thereof that each lock 32 is rotated inwardly about the pivotal connection 34 by said sliding engagement with the lock on the mating coupler. The inward movement of each lock 32 compresses each spring 48 between' the lock 32 and the side wall |8 of each coupler, and each Operating arm 46 is urged outwardly through the slot 82 in the side Wall |8 of the nose. The shoulder 76 on the lower edge of the Operating arm 46 is thus placed approximately in line with the outer face of the projection 94 on the mating coupler as is best seen in Figure 15. As the couplers continue to move together the cam surface lll on the projection 94 engages the inclined lower edge 89 of the Operating arm 46 on the mating coupler as at IDG (Figure 18) and passes underneath said 'Operating arm and lifts it so that it will not become jammed between the mating coupler heads. When the locks have passed each other they are rotated outwardly by the compression Springs 48, 48 into locking engagement as at 498 in Figure 9, and the Operating arm is carried inwardly by its connection to said lock so that the shoulder 16 drops into the recess IIIJ formed on the inner side of the projection' 94 on the mating coupler.

In normal coupled position the looks 32, 32 are held in tight abutment by the compression Springs 48, 48. In case of failure of said compression springs each lock is prevented from disengagement With the lock of the mating coupler by the abutment of the shoulder 16 on the operating arm 46 with the wall I24 defining the recess II on the mating coupler. It is thus apparent that I have afforded a lock to the lock or anti-creep means on each coupler which is operative for the Operating arm 46 for the lock associated with the mating coupler.

The positions of the parts of each coupler in normal coupled position may be best seen from a consideration of Figures 9, and 11 wherein it may -be noted that the flanges 8, 8 on mating couplers are in tight abutment and the locking faces 44, 44 on the looks 32, 32 are in tight abutment at |IJ8. The ogee configuration of the locking faces enables the locks to move into locked position with a minimum of clearance or slack therebetween. Under pull the locks afford a solid column under compression and each pivot pin 33 is substantially relieved from shearing stresses by seating the adjacent end of each lock a-gainst the nose |2 as at I IZ. In normal coupled and uncoupled position each lock 32 has Outward movement limited by stop means in the form of a lug IM projecting upwardly from the bottom wall of the nose for abutment as at II with the fiange I I8 on the lock 32. Additional stop means limiting outward movement of each lock 32 in coupled position may be afiorded by an upstanding lug IZD formed on the bottom wall of the mating coupler, and said'lug I29 may have engagement with the lock 32 at IZ2 in case of wear of stop means IM.

In uncoupling, the Operating arm 45 of only one of the couplers may be disengaged from its anti-creep` position and may be pulled upwarolly and outwardly so that the shoulder 'Ifl on the upper edge of the Operating arm 45 is seated in the inclined notch I02 formed on the projection 96 of the mating coupler to alford a lockset. This is best seen in Figures 12, 13 and 14 wherein the .lock of the left coupler which is in lockset position is shown retracted into .the hollow nose with the spring 48 placed under further compression and Wherein the lock and Operating arm of the right coupler remain at anti-creep or lock to the lock position. It may be noted in Figure 12, which shows the coupler heads after slight separation, that slight clearance at 125 is aiforded between the adjacent cam-like or rounded edges of the lockset lock and the locked lock. During further separation the lockset position of the lock of the left coupler is maintained until the shoulder III slides out of engagement with the notch m2 on the right coupler and the lock is rotated outwardly by the compressed spring ta so that its rounded edges will be in engagement with the corresponding round'ed edges of the lock of the right coupler. Approximately simultaneously with the release of the lockset of the left coupler, the anti-creep or lock to the lock of the right coupler is automatically released by the shoulder 'IS slipping out of engagement With the recess I I 0 on the left coupler. This is readily apparent because the projectin-g members 94 and 96 extend outwardly from each coupler head for about 'the same distance.

The positions of the locks of the mating couplers just after release of the locksetpand anti-creep are best seen in Figure 15 wherein it may be noted that the locks have sliding engagement at I94 and each lock may yield to the other because the Operating arms are now out of engagement with the respective projections 94 and 96 on the mating couplers. The locks are thus free to pass each other and to return to their normal position upon completion of uncoupling. Each is then ready for another coupling operation. It will be understood, of course, that either lock may be placed in lockset position while the other lock is left at anti-creep position in order to effect an uncoupling.

In coupled position it is clear that the tight abutment of the housings of mating couplers substantially prevents the entry of dirt and extraneous matter into the housings, however a hole |28 and an opening I39 are afforded in the bottom wall of each coupler and nose respectively to permit drainage and escape Vof extraneous matter or dirt which may lodge'in the coupler housing when the couplers are in uncoupled position.

It is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited by the exact embodiments of the device shown which are merely by Way of illustration and not limitation as Various and other forms of the device will, of" course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

I claim:

1. In an automatic coupler comprising a hollow head of funnel form presenting a tapering nose, an opening laterally thereof for reception of a mating nose, a lock pivoted in said nose and normally projecting into said opening for engagement With the lock of the mating coupler, an Operating arm pivoted to said lock, a spring surrounding said arm and Operable to retain said lock in normal position, said Operating arm being movable to rotate saidlock, and lockset means comprising a shoulder on said arm cooperating with a projecting member on the mating coupler.

2. In a car coupling, mating coupler heads, each comprising a housing presenting at the for- Ward end thereof, projecting means and an opening receiving the projecting means of the mating coupler, locks pivoted in said projecting means and extending into said Openings for abutment with each other to retain said couplers in normal locked position, lock Operating means, and anti-creep means comprising a member on each coupler slidable into and out of engagement With the lock Operating means on the mating coupler.

3. In an automatic tight lock vehicle coupling, mating coupler heads each comprising a housing with a tapering nose and an opening for reception of the nose of the mating coupler, looks pivoted adjacent forward ends of each coupler nose and having ogee looking faces engaging each other for abutment as pulling stresses are applied to said couplers, Operating arms for said looks, and anti-creep means for said locks including members on said heads affording abutment for means on the Operating arm of the mating coupler.

4. In an automatic car coupling, mating coupler heads each comprising a housing with a flange extending therearound at one extremity thereof, a tapered nose projecting outward from said fiange adjacent one side of said housing, and an opening at the Other side of said housing for reception of the nose of the mating coupler; a lock within said nose, lock Operating means, and means on 'said flange engaging the lock operating'means of the mating coupler to aiford an anti-creep for the lock of the mating coupler.

5. In an automatic tight lock coupler, a coupler head presenting a pyramidal nose and an opening for accommodating the nose of a 'mating coupler, a lock pivoted in said nose, an operating arm connected to saidlock, and projecting members at one side Of said head for oO- operating with means on the Operating arm of the mating coupler to afford an anti-creep and a lockset respectively.

6. In an automatic tight lock coupler, a Vcoupler head presenting a pyramidal nose and an opening for accommodating the nose of a mating coupler, a look pivoted in said nose, an operating arm connected to said lock, and a member on one side'of said head oooperating with means on the Operating arm of the mating coupler to afford an anti-creep for the look of the mating coupler.

'7. In a tight lock car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a movable lock for abutment With the lock of a mating coupler, operating means for said looks, and anti-creep means automatically operative when said couplers are coupled and one of said anti-creep means being automatically releasable as said couplers are uncou-pled, said anti-creep means including a member on one coupler aifording abutment for means on the look Operating means of the other coupler.

8. In an automatic car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a movable lock for abutment With the lock of a mating coupler, Operating arms for said looks, and anti-creep means automatically operative as said couplers are coupled, said means including a cam member on each coupler movable into engagement with the Operating arm on the mating coupler during coupling and affording an abutment for means on said Operating arm.

9. In a tight lock car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a movable look for abutment With the lock of a mating coupler, Operating means for said looks, and anti-creep means automatically operative when said couplers are coupled and one of said anti-creep means being automatically releasable as said' couplers are uncoupled, said anti-oreep means comprising a member on each coupler slidable into and out of engagement with the lock operating means on the mating coupler.

10. In a tight lock car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a pivoted lock for abutment With the lock of a mating coupler, operating means for said looks, and anti-creep means automatically operative When said couplers are coupled and one of said anti-oreep means being automatically releasable as said couplers are uncoupled, said means comprising .a member on One coupler movable into and out of engagement With means on the lock operating means of the Other coupler.

11. In an automatic tight lock coupler, a coupler head presenting a tapered nose and an opening for reception of the nose of a mating coupler, a peripheral flange around said head at the forward extremity thereof, a lock pivoted in said nose, an Operating arm for said lock, and projeoting means on said flange cooperating with the Operating arm of the mating coupler to afford a lock for the lock of the mating coupler.

fear/1,889

12. In an automatic tight lock coupler, a cou'- pler head presenting a tapered nose and an opening for reception of the nose of a mating coupler, a peripheral flange around said head at the forward extremity thereof, a lock pivoted in said nose, lan Operating arm for said lock, and spaoed members on said fiange adapted to cooperate with means on the mating coupler for affording anti-creep and lockset means for the lock of the mating coupler.

13. In an automatic tight lock coupler, a coupler head presenting a tapered nose and an opening for reception of the nose of a mating coupler, a peripheral flange around said head at the forward extremity thereof, a lock pivoted in said nose, an Operating arm for said lock, a spring compressed between said look and said wall, anti-creep means comprising a shoulder on said arm cooperating with a member On the mating coupler.

14. In an automatic car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a movable look for abutment With the look of a mating coupler, `Operating arms for said looks, Springs associated With said looks, and anti-creep means automatically operative as said couplers are coupled, said means including a cam member on each coupler cooperating with the Operating arm on the .mating coupler.

15. In an automatic car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a movable lock for abutment with the lock of a mating coupler, operating arms for said looks, and anti-creep means automatically operative as said couplers are coupled, said means including a projecting lug at One side of each coupler adapted for engagement With the Operating arm On the mating coupler.

16. In an automatic tight lock car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a pivoted lock for engagement With the lock of a mating coupler, Operating means for said looks, and lockset means including a shoulder on the lock Operating means of each coupler slidable out of engagement With a projecting member on the mating coupler as said couplers uncouple.

17. In an automatic tight lock car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a look for engagement With the lock of a mating coupler. Operating means for said looks, and lockset means for each lock including means on the look Operating means of one coupler adapted for engagement with projecting means on the other coupler.

18. In a tight lock car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a movable lock for abutment With the lock of a .mating coupler, operating means for said looks, and anti-creep means for each of said looks comprising a projecting member on each coupler aifording abutment for the look Operating means On the mating coupler.

19. In a tight lock car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a lock for abutment With the look of a mating coupler, Operating means for said looks, and anti-creep means for each of said looks comprising a member on one side of each coupler adapted for engagement With the lock Operating means on the mating coupler.

2G. In a car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a pivoted lock for abutment with the lock of a mating coupler, lock Operating means, and anti-creep means for each lock inoluding ,a member on each coupler adapted to cooperate with the lock Operating means on the mating coupler.

21. In a car coupling, mating coup-lers each presenting a pivoted lock for abutment with the lock of the mating coupler, Operating means for said looks, and means for moving each operating means into a position affording an anticreep for the associated lock, said means including a cam member on each coupler adapted to engage the Operating means of the mating coupler.

22. In a car coupling, mating coupler heads each presenting a movable lock for engagement With the lock of the mating coupler, Operating members for said looks, and automatically releasable lockset means for each coupler, said lockset means including means on each operating member adapted to disengage With means on the mating coupler as the couplers separate in uncoupling.

23. In an automatic tight lock couplenacoupler head presenting a pyramidal nose and an opening for accommodating the nose of a mating coupler, a lock pivoted in said nose, an operating arm connected to said lock, means at one side of said head for cooperating with means on the Operating arm. of the mating coupler to afford an anti-creep and lockset respectively, and a cam surface on the means affording the anti- Creep.

FRANK H. KAYLER. 

